Fence construction



May 18, 1954 c. E. FUNK FENCE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1950 (arl E C. E. FUNK FENCE CONSTRUCTION May 18, 1954 Filed Dec. 29, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fidnfors Carl fink to i an end fence post desirable to erect a fence poses.

efficient and flexible use of available land. quickly and conveniently erected and-dismantled the flexible type, such as fence supported by wire theiconstructional feaportion of the 'device Patented May 18, 1954 2,678,807 FENCE CONSTRUCTION Cal-TE. Funk,

Ear1Park,.Ind., assignor to RosemaryR. Funk, Earl Parlnlnd. ApplicationDecember 29, 1950, Serial No. 203,503

11.01a'ims.

1 This invention relates to improvements in a fence post construction .and refers particularly which can be conveniently employed in rapidlysettin llp a fence. constructed of flexible material vsuch as a wire, tensioning it and dismantling it.

-In the operation of a farm ,it is frequently for temporary pur- ;For instance, in pasturing live stock, it isoften necessary .at -different times of the year to-confine the stock at different portions of the farm. Afence which may be quickly and conveniently erected and dismantled proves most advantageous for this :purpose, permitting a most A fence isalso mostdesirable for purposes of wind breaks or snow breaks not .only on farms but for purposes of maintenance of open rights of way and the like.

One of the features =.of .the present invention resides .in a fence .post construction which permits of quick and-simple erectionof -a fence of .a wire .fence or a slat tures of the invention permitting the fence to be quickly tensioned and. anchored. andsupported in 'tensioned position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision .of .means .for .erecting and tensioning a fence comprising one or more sections,

theconnecting means betweenadjacent sections, if more than one section .is

used, .being such as to transmit tension from .one fence section to the next, such connecting means being characterized by the simplicity .with which plural sections may be added or dismantled.

Other objects .and advantages .of the present invention will be apparent from .theaccompany- .ing drawings and following .detailed description.

In .the drawings,

Fig. 1 .is an elevational view of *a fence 'embodying the concepts of myinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged-detailed plan view "looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary'detailed side elevational view of the portion of the device illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. l is an enlarged sectional view itaken on line 4-4 of Fig. "1.

Fig. '5 is a detailed 'elevational "-view of that illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig.6 is an-end elevational view looking inthe direction of the. arrows ii-65 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view 'taken on line 1-4 of Fig. l.

post shown in fence or the post 4 Fig. 8 is a detailed top plan view of one of the fence section connecting members.

Fig. 9 is a view-similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified form of end brace post construction. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on line l0--l0=of Fig. 9.

Fig. ll is a detailed sectional view taken on line H--l| of Fig. .10.

Fig. .12 is a sectional of :Fig. .9.

Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of theend .Fig. .9. detailto .the drawing, the present fence body .1 which is .of flexible character such .as the usual mesh type wire fence or .othersimilarflexible fence. The fence body I may, if desired-comprise a continuous length-of material from one supporting post to the next adjacent supporting post or the fence body :may be constructed conveniently joined-sections 2 audit. Inemploying the present invention astationary post-4 is contemplated to whichone end of the fence body or .one endof one section-thereof is permanently secured. The .post A may comprise ra conventional post which is driven into the ground to provide a firm anchorage for one end of the .mi-ght, if desired, be some other fixed object-such as a building orthe like.

If the fence body view taken on line 12-42 Referring in invention comprises .-a

lcomprises sections 2 and .3 each section will .be secured at one end to a rod 5 which will be disposed in parallel relationship too. similar rod 5 to which one end of the nex adjacent section is connected, the flexible components -of the fence being rigidly or immovably secured to the-rods Sand-6. Of course, as many sections 2 and 3asdesiredmaybe-employed and tension rod.

The rods 5, .6 and l are identical with each other and may-conveniently comprise a metal rod of any convenient cross section provided adjacent eachend with an annular slotii as shownbest in Figs. 3 andfi. Where the sections arejoined, juncture plates .9 are employed. The juncture plates .9 zcomprise relatively fiat metal plates provided with an aperture I0. The aperture I is enlarged at its central portion, as shown best at H in Fig. 8, the ends of the aperture being of restricted width relative to the central portion of the aperture. In joining two fence sections together the rods are disposed in the aperture II]. For instance, in joining the sections 2 and 3 together the end of rod 5 may be inserted in the enlarged portion I I of the plate 9 and when the plate is disposed in alignment with the annular groove 8 the plate may be moved relative to the rod to dispose the rod at one end of the aperture III. The adjacent rod 6 may then be inserted in the enlarged portion I I of the aperture I 0 and the plate may be moved relative to the rod to dispose the rod at the opposite end of the aperture. The same procedure may be adopted at the opposite ends of the rod, there being conveniently two plates 9 usedfor connecting the adjacent rods 5 and 6 together.

It can readily be seen that in this fashion a fence of substantially any length may be employed, the sections of the fence body being constructed in substantially similar form. Hence, where it is desired to erect temporary fences at diiferent portions, for instance, of a farm or the like, the desired number of sections 2 and 3 may be employed, the sections being conveniently added in multiple to produce a fence of a desired. length.

As has been hereinbefore described, one end of the fence body I is fixedly connected to a support 4 which is immovable with respect to the ground. The opposite end of the fence body I as will be hereinafter more fully described, is also connected to a brace post.

As a feature of the present invention a pair of tension plates I2 and I3 are employed. The tension plate I2 comprises a relatively fiat meta-l member provided with a central aperture I4. The aperture I4 has a slot portion I5 of relatively restricted width which opens into an enlarged opening I6. In the form of my invention illustrated the end brace post, to be hereinafter more fully described, may be of angular construction and to conform with the sectional shape of the post the enlarged aperture I6 is of substantially triangular shape. It is to be understood. however, that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific shape of the enlarged opening I6 since said shape will conform substantially with the sectional shape of the end brace post.

Rigidly secured to the lower face of the upper tension plate I 2 are two spaced angle braces 29, said braces being secured to the lower face of the plate I2 by welding or other convenient manner of securement. A channel member 2! is secured at one end to the upper face of the lower tension plate I 3, the opposite flanges 22 of the channel member 2i extending upwardly. The angle braces 25 are disposed in an inclined direction with respect to the plane of the tension plate I2 whereas the channel member 2I is disposed in substantially plane-parallel relationship to the plate I3. At a predetermined distance from the plates I2 and I 3 the angle members 20 are joined with the channel member 2I, said angle members being secured by bolts or rivets 23 to the opposite flanges 22 of the channel mem-' ber 2i. As will be hereinafter more fully described, when the device is in assembled position the angle members 20 and the channel member 2I function as compression members.

In assembling the fence I that end of the fence body I which carries the rod 1 is positioned between the spaced angle members 20 and is moved between said angle members and the ends of the rod 20 are inserted in the enlarged portion I6 and I9 respectively of the apertures I4 and I1. When the planes of the plates I2 and I3 are respectively in alignment with the annular slots 8 adjacent the ends of the rod 1 the plates I2 and I3 are moved relative to the rod 1 so as to dispose the rod I within the slots I5 and I8 respectively.

To tension the fence body I a hitch comprising rods 24 and 25 is secured to the upper and. lower tension plates I2 and I 3, the ends of the rod 24 and rods 25 being jointed together, as at 26 in Fig. l. A pin 2'! may be secured to the flanges of the opposite angle members 20 and the end of rod 24 may be provided with an open aperture in the form of a hook which may be engaged with the pin 27 to connect the rod 24 to the upper tension plate I2. The end of the lower tension plate I3 may be rolled to form a hollow head 28 in which a pin 29 is positioned. The ends of bars 25 may also be provided with open apertures in the form of hooks which may be engaged with the pins 29. In this fashion the hitch comprisin the bars 24 and 25 may be conveniently detachably connected to the tension plates I2 and I 3. To apply tension to the hitch, a cable, indicated by the dotted line 30 in Fig. 1 may be secured to the juncture 26 of the hitch. The opposite end of the cable may be secured to a tractor, Windlass or other mechanical device adapted for pulling. When tensional force is exerted upon the cable 30 this tension is transmitted to the tension plates I2 and I3 and by means of rod 7 engaged by said plates the tension is transmitted to the fence body I.

As a feature of the present invention while the plates I2 and I3, rod 1 and fence body I are being subjected to tension an end brace post 3I is passed downwardly through the enlarged aperture I6 of plate I2 and the enlarged aperture I9 of plate I3 and said post may be driven into the ground. In order to accomplish this operation the end brace post I3 must be of a sectional dimension less than the sectional dimensions of the openings l6 and I9 whereby said end brace post may be conveniently passed downwardly through the vertically aligned openings I6 and I9 in the tension plates I2 and I3 respectively. In this fashion the tension imparted to the fence body and its accompanying elements hereinbefore described is retained by the fixed position of the end brace post I3.

An anchor bar 32, at one end, is pivotally connected to pin 29 carried by the lower tension plate I 3. At the opposite end of the anchor bar an angle member 33 is rigidly secured, said angle member being preferably disposed at substantially a right angle to the length of the anchor bar 32. The bar 33 rigidly carries a metal plate 34 which may be tapered toward one end thereof. Similarly the bar 33 may be tapered as indicated at 35 in Fig. 7. The anchor bar 32 is pivotally movable about the pin 29 carried by the lower tension plate I3 and when the desired degree of tension has been imparted to the fence body and its accompanying elements and after the end of brace post 3I has been thoroughly anchored in the ground, the bar 33 carried by the anchor bar 32 may be driven into the ground so that the anchor bar is disposed at an angle to the surface of the ground. The position of the bar 33.and

of the ground. The -'member2l is augmented bythe anglememb'ers through the agency prevent such raising of the post 3l, the anchor bar 32 functioning as 36, similar'to the fence 'tions if desired, is anchored The lower plate 3 42 and 43 separated "from each -other by slot 44.

The section '43 is provided with an elongated bars 41 straddle thefence body diagonally downwardly portion of the length oithe fermedcaody. A pair of horizontal brace members 48 are secured "at anchor plate 34' after being driverr mto'the -ground is illustrated in Fig. 1.

After the end brace'post 3 l= andanchor 'bar 33 are securely driven into the ground, *the tension imparted to the cable 30=maybe'relieved'and the hitch comprising the'bars*24 and 2'5'-may be disengaged respectively'irom-the pins zl and- 2 9 and removed from the assembly. With the 'tension'imparted by the cable 30 removed, the residual tension in thefence body l ten'dstopull the end brace-post 3| toward theright, asviewed in Fig. 1. This tendency is-resisted by themherent relative immovability of the-"end brace post-and is also resisted by'the' channel member M "whichis disposed in contact withthe suriace function of the channel 20 which function as compression members to maintainthe "post 3l'in fixed position. In order to prevent raising of'the post 3| incident'to the residual tension in thefence bod-y L the anchor comprising the "bar '33 and plate 34 functions, of the anchor 'bar 32 to a tension" member.

It is apparent that herein'is provided a convenient and effective temporary fence construction. The fence is constructed of units comprising fencebody sections 2 and 3,'end bars or rods-5, 6 and 1, connecting'plates '9 'and'tens-ion plates 12 and i3 together with the end brace post'3'l,'the compressionbraces 20 and 2! and the tension member'32. The fence may be con veniently erected at substantially any location and-may be made as long'as desired, itmerely being necessary to add fence body units. Similarly, in disassemblingthe fence the reverse operation is performed, that is, tension is-applied to the 'fenceby "a suitable Windlass or tractor and the end brace post '3! and anchor bar '32 removed from the ground. The 'elements comprisingthe fence may then beremove'dtoa-new location or may be stored 'for further-use.

Referring particularly to'Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive,

a -modification of my invention is shown. "In

this form of my invention, a flexible fence'body body 1, and made in secto a fixed-support -'(not shown) at one end. The opposite end of the fence body is secured to tension rod 31,"which in this form of my invention may-comprise :a relatively fiat bar provided-with a plurality apertures '38 in which the longitudinal zstran'ds of the fence body may be threaded'and'secured.

The tension rod 31 may be engaged with an upper plate 39 and alower plate 40, the-plate being provided with an elongated aperture ll in which one end portion of the rod'ispositioned.

'Rod 31 may be provided with a notch "which when the rod is'in position in the aperture 41 engages-the edge of plate 39 to'prevent endwise movement of rod S'Iwith respect'to aperture 4!. G0 is made up oftwo sections aperture 45 in one end of which'the'oppos'ite end portion of rod 31 is adapted tobe positioned.

Upper plate '32 carries opposite triangular flanges '46 and securedto the innerface of each flange by welding or the like, is the end of an angle-sectioned compression bar 41. The two 36' and extending toward an "intermediate section of the compression 'zcntal brace members, said bars are joined to each other-and to a away from each other flanges 51' -40 and upper plate 39 both may be tapered posedinslottZ and the engages portion l? of the To prevent the bars 41 its lower end to a clevis 52 and atits upper end to a clevis 53 may be secured to the-lowerand upperplates 48 and 39. eachof said plates carrying a pin'54 and'EE, secured to the lower plate respectively. If desired, the hitch may-be'permanently secured to plates 39 and), or-maybe-detachably secured thereto in the manner hereinbefore described withrespect to the hitch bars 24 and 25.

In erecting my modified form of fence, tractive means (not shown) applies tensionto the hitch bar 5|, as indicated by the'arrow '56, and" such tension is transferred science 36 by mean's of 191211185 39 and 49. When the fence body has been tensioned to the desired'degree a 'postt'l is employed in anchoring the fence body, as will be hereinafter merc fully described.

The post 51may'convenientlytakethe form of "a T -iron"havinga web-portion fis' and-transverse flange portion "59. The post 51 may be brought tea-point adjacent itslower end and=-a plate 68 may be "secured to the flange "59 adjacent said lower-end of the post. "Above the 1 plate '66 and below the-"central portion of thepostya second 'plate iiImaybesecuredto theflange'po'r- 'tion 59 of "the "post. Both plates-fifi'and fil are relatively wide with respect to flange 59 and at their lowerends to facilitate entrance'into the ground. If-desired,*-a

"single plate '(not shown) may be --employed instead of'the two plates the single plate will extend preferably from the bottomofthepostto a desiredpoint intermediate the-post, preferablybelow thepost s center. The "upper portion of plate "61 may 'angleto the plateproper, as indicated'at lifl'in Figs. Hand 13. The bohereinaitermore fully described.

'66 and iii in 'which'ease be disposed at an purpose of flange I 6i" will Plate 39 is=providedwith a slot BE-which opens to the 'rear'oi the plate and "when the post :51 is in operative-position web-=58 or" the post is dis- 'rear'endiof slot 45. In this fashion, lateral movement of i the :plates with respect -to=the post and vice verse. is prevented.

Zit'Will be 'noted' that when 'the'postis inoperative-position flange 59 and plate 6! will'be'idisposed-inslct'dt. The post 5'! when driven into the ground, is driven downwardly until flange tl lower plate #30, said flange lying above the'sur'face of the plate *and functioning to "prevent raising -'of "the rear ends bfbars-t-B. It will also benotcdthatplate-Minis wider than plate 3H. plates '80 and "iii said clevis' are constructed in bowediorm, as

Hence, in order to pass through "clevis t3, the arms of shown at 63 in "Fig. '10. By "virtue of the width or" plate -'4il, this expedient is not necessary with respectto the lower clevis 52 In this form or "-my invention r slot 82 is roilset with respect to slot 45 and, hence, post 51 is disposed at an angle to the vertical, that is, the post is inclined at its top away from the end of the fence body. Hence, when the post is driven into the ground and the force 56 released, the lower end of tension bar 31 will tend to move plate 40 to the right as viewed in Fig. l, by vlrtue of the residual tension in the fence body. This force will tend to rock the post in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, about a point located beneath the ground and along the length of the post. The width of plates 30 and 6| resist this motion. Simultaneously, the top portion Of post 5? tends to move to the right, as viewed in Fig. i and hence web 58 is urged toward the closed end of slot 52. This force results in compression of bars 67 and, hence, a balance of all forces is brought about. By virtue of plates 50 and 6! and the length of bars 47 and 48, the tendency for the post to heave, or move upwardly out of the ground is negligible and an anchor, such as anchor 32, is ordinarily unnecessary. If sandy or soft soil is frequently encountered a spike 64 may be secured to the lower portion of plate 43 to prevent plate.

To dismantle the fence it is merely necessary to apply traction 56; remove post 5?; disengage tension bar from plates 39 and 4!}; roll up or fold fence body 36 and store the parts or transport them to another situs for use.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorlateral movement of said able upon a post maintained stationary with respect to the ground, a tension bar rigidly connected to the opposite end of said fence body, tension plates removably mounted upon opposite end portions of said tension bar, said plates being proand removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground.

2. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including upon a post maintained stationary with respect to the ground, a tension bar disposed substantially in the plane of the fence body to which the opposite end of the fence body is rigidly connected, tension plates removably carried by said tension bar adjacent opposite ends thereof, each of said plates being provided with apertures which are in alignment with one another in substantially the plane of the fence body, and a brace post removably positioned in said aligned apertures and anchorable in the ground.

3. A quickly assembled and disassembled fence comprising a plurality of units adapted for assembly and disassembly including, an anchor post stationary with respect to the ground, a flexible fence body connected at one end to said post, said fence body being disposed in a substantially vertical plane, a tension bar disposed in substantially the same plane as the fence body to which the opposite end of said fence body is immovably connected, vertically aligned tension plates removably carried by said tension bar, said plates being provided with companion apertures, a

' brace post of sectional dimensions less than the a sectional dimensions of said apertures, said brace post being positioned in said apertures for carrying said tension plates and having an end thereof for positioning in the ground, a substantially horizontal strut member carried by the lowermost a flexible fence body anchorable .40 videdwith apertures, and a brace post slidably tension plate, and an inclined strut member care ried by the uppermost tension plate, said strut members being disposed adjacent the fence body and being connected together at their ends remote from said tension plates.

4. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable upon a post maintained stationary with respect to the ground, a tension bar disposed substantially in the plane of the fence body to which the opposite end of the fence body is connected, and relatively immovable therewith, tension plates removably carried by said tension bar, each of said plates being provided with apertures which are in substantially the plane of the fence body, a brace post removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground, an anchor bar pivotally secured to one of said tension plates, and an anchor carried by said anchor bar positionable in the ground beyond the end of said fence body.

5. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable upon a post maintained stationary with respect to the ground, said flexible fence body comprising a plurality of flexible sections, tension bars at the adjacent ends of said sections to which said sections are rigidly secured, connecting plates removably mounted upon the adjacent tension bars to join the adjacent flexible sections together in end to end relation, an end tension bar secured to the end of the endmost section, tension plates removably mounted upon said end tension bar, said tension plates being provided with apertures, and a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and positionable in the ground.

6. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable upon a post maintained stationary with respect to the ground, said flexible fence body comprising a plurality of flexible sections, tension bars at the adjacent ends of said sections to which said sections are immovably secured, connecting plates removably mounted upon the adjacent tension bars to join the adjacent flexible sections together in end to end relation, an end tension bar immovably secured to the end of the endmost section, tension plates removably mounted upon said end tension bar, said tension plates being provided with apertures, a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and positionable in the ground, an anchor bar pivotally secured to one'of said tension plates, and an anchor carried by said anchor bar positionable in the ground beyond the end of said fence body.

7. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable at one end with respect to the ground, a tension bar rigidly connected to the opposite end of said fence body, tension plates removably secured upon said tension bar adjacent its opposite ends, said plates being provided with apertures disposed in substantially the same plane as the fence body and offset from each other in said plane, a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground at an angle determined by the offset relation of the apertures in the tension plates.

8. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable at one end with respect to the ground, a tension bar immovably connected to the opposite end of said fence body, tension plates removably secured upon said tension bar adjacent its opposite ends, said plates being provided with apertures disposed in substantially the same plane as the fence body and offset from each other in said plane, a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground at an angle determined by the offset relation of the apertures in the tension plates, a relatively wide ground-abutment plate carried by that portion of the brace post which enters the ground, the plane of said plate being at substantially right-angles to the plane of the fence body.

9. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassemly including a flexible fence body anchorable at one end with respect to the ground, a tension bar immovably connected to the opposite end of said fence body, tension plates removably mounted upon said tension bar adjacent its opposite ends, said plates being provided with apertures disposed in substantially the same plane as the fence body and offset from each other in said plane, a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground at an angle determined by the offset relation of the apertures in the tension plates, a relatively wide ground-abutment plate carried by that portion of the brace post which enters the ground, the plane of said plate being at substantially right-angles to the plane of the fence body, an angular flange carried at the upper end of said ground-abutment plate, said flange overlying the lower tension plate when the brace post is anchored in the ground.

10. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable at one end with respect to the ground, a tension bar rigidly connected to the opposite end of said fence body, tension plates removably mounted upon said tension bar adjacent its opposite ends, said plates being provided with apertures disposed in substantially the same plane as the fence body and offset from each other in said plane, a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground at an angle determined by the offset relation of the apertures in the tension plates, a pair of bars carried by the lower tension plate and extending toward an intermediate portion of the length of the fence body, a pair of spaced compression bars carried by the upper tension plate and extending in an inclined direction with respect to said first-mentioned bars, and means for fastening the ends of said first mentioned bars relative to the ends of said compression bars.

11. A fence comprising a plurality of units, said units being adapted for assembly and disassembly including a flexible fence body anchorable at one end with respect to the ground, a tension bar rigidly connected to the opposite end of said fence body, tension plates removably mounted upon said tension bar adjacent its opposite ends,

' said plates being provided with apertures disposed in substantially the same plane as the fence body and offset from each other in said plane, a brace post slidably and removably positioned in said apertures and anchorable in the ground at an angle determined by the offset relation of the apertures in the tension plates, a pair of bars carried by the lower tension plate and extending toward an intermediate portion of the length of the fence body, a pair of spaced compression bars carried by the upper tension plate and extending in an inclined direction with respect to said first-mentioned bars, means for fastening the ends of said first mentioned bars relative to the ends of said compression bars, and means for securing said first mentioned bars together intermediate their length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 308,505 Lindley Nov. 25, 1884 410,557 McDougall Sept. 3, 1889 475,865 Hudson May 31, 1892 1,293,827 Luner Feb. 11, 1919 1,96%,404 Lynch June 26, 1934 2,152,816 Olsen Apr. 4, 1939 2,517,386 Cooper Aug. 1, 1950 2,599,967 Zimel June 10, 1952 

